Tool for heavy pipe-fittings



J. HELMV TOOL FOR HEAVY PIPE FITTINGS.

APPLICATION Fl LED DEC-20, I916.

' 1760'677/3'07" 45 Jknfllm,

7SHEETSSHEET 1.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

J. HELM.

TOOL FOR HEAVY PIPE FITTINGS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.20. 1916.

1,357,707, v Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

I SHEETS-SHEET 2- J. HELM.

TOOL FOR HEAVY PIPE HTTINGS. APPLICATION FILED nec.20, 1916.

mI 2 v a! um 7n m k m f P.

y 1 7 O 7 W w 4 7 M 9 m y a 4m} afi fl 44 z 4 I. HELM.

TOOL FOR HAVY PIPE FITTINGS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.20,-1916.

1 357,707 V Pmmed Nov. 2, 1920,

7 SHEETS-SHEET wenrz eyamZm J. HELM.

TOOL FOR HEAVY PIPE FITTINGS.

APPLICATION FILED nsc.20. 191s.

Patented Nov. 2 1920.

EETS-SHEET 5.

J. HELM.

TOOL FOR HEAVY PIPE FITTINGS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.20. 1.9!6.

' Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

ZSHEETS-SHEET 6- l. HELM.

TOOL FOR HEAVY PIPE FITTINGS.

APPLICATIONTlLED 050.20. 1915.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

7SHEETSSHEET L 4 l I l l I l l I x I l I I I PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HELM, or sr. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

TOOL FOR HEAVY PIPE-FITTINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

Application filed. December 20, 1916. Serial No. 137,991.

T 0 all wizom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jor-IN HELM, a citizen of the United States, residingin the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tools for Heavy Pipe-Fittings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined pipewrench tool, and is specially designed for hcavy'pipefitting service, such as in gas, oil, steam and water pipe lines or other like supply mains, but is not limited to any particular size or use.

As to its adaptation as a wrench, the device embodies certain features of improvement upon the structure shown and set forth "in Letters Patent, No. 1,200,612, granted to me on October 10, 1916. It further comprehends a novel construction and arrangement to facilitate, in a single structure, the application of screw-threading and cutting-off members interchangeably with the pipechucking or wrench members. Other objects and advantages to be attained will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings illustrat ing a practical embodiment of the invention, and forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing one each of the pipe-chucking, screw-threading, centering, and cutting-off members mounted, the others being omitted to more clearly show the construction and arrangement of the rotatable ring onwhich said members are mounted;

Fig. is a similar view of the opposite side of the device, portions being broken away and shown in section, and four opposed pipc-chucking members being shown in place as when the device is arranged as a wrench Fig. 3 is-an edge view, portions of the operating mechanism being shown in section;

Fig. i is a fragmentary, section illustrating the ratchet portion of the operating mechanism;

5 is an end elevation of the pipefeeding attachment which is used when screwth rea din g y Fig. 6 is a side elevation of said attach- Incnt;

on the pipe on opposite sides of the rota-- table ring for the cutting off operation;

Fig. 13 1s a fragmentary section, on an enlarged scale, through the dovetailed meeting end portions of the rotatable ring sections and showing the manner of securing the we sectlons to prevent lateral separation thereof; 1

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary View, on an enlarged scale, showing a detail of that portion of the joint at the meeting ends ofthe rotatable ring sections where the tightening wedges are inserted;

Jig. 15 is a section, on an enlarged scale, through a portion of the outer casing in the region where the ratchet-pin occurs, said ratchet-pin being shown as held in retracted position to clear the ratchet-wheel on the adjusting screw of the chucking block, details of which latter audits mounting are also shown in this view;

' Fig. 16 is a plan view of the ratchet-wheel on the end of the adjusting screw;

Figs. 17 and 18 are side views of two chucking blocks of different sizes;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 15, but

showing the ratchet-pin in projected posiner of mounting and adjusting the tool in the holder;

Fig. 22 is a section through the rotatable ring, showing the mounting ofthe centering member; s

Fig. 23 is adetail view of the centering member detached;

Fig. 24 is a section through the rotatable ring, showing the mounting and adjustment of the screw-threading die;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of that portion of the rotatable ring where the screw-threading die is mounted;

Fig. 26 is a detail view of the screwthreading die detached and Figs. 27 and 28 are views in front and side elevation, respectively, of the holding frame for the outer casing.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates an annular outer frame or casing comprising two separable half sections2, 2, and having on the one side an inwardly disposed, relatively shallow, annular flange 3, and on the other side a deeper flange 4.

The section 2 is provided at one end with a hollow, circular protuberance 5 whose opposite side walls have alined openings therein 'for the passage of a pin 6, said pin extending at both ends through alined openings in ears 7 on the meeting end of the section 2 and straddling said portion 5 of the section 2.

The pin 6 is secured in place by cotterpins 8 and constitutes the pintle of the hinge joint thus provided between the two sections of the outer casing.

At the opposite end of the section 2 are two lugs 9, between which an eyebolt 10 is located, said eye-bolt being hinged on a crosspin 11 which extends at both ends through alined openings in said lugs 9 and is secured in place by cotter-pins 12. On the meeting end of the section 2 are two lugs 13 which are opposed to the lugs 9 on the section 2" and have recesses or notches ll for the reception of the end portions of a cross-bar 15 on said bolt 10. This crossbar has a central. opening therethrough which fits the bolt loosely, so that the bar is freely mo able on the bolt; and working on the screw-thremled outer end portion of the bolt, and against the cross-bar, is a nut 16 for securing the two sections of the casing together.

I Rotatable within the outer casing is an annular carrier or ring 1'? comprising two half sections 18, 18, at one end of each of which is a dove-tail or undercut lug 19 arranged and adapted to fit into a counterpart recess 20 in the meeting end of the companion section. Preferably, the lug 19 and recess 20 are so proportioned that they may be first brought into cooperative relation rather loosely. That is, clearance is provided between the meeting ends of the two sections 18 and 18, and also between the end face of the lug 19 and bottom of the recess 20. After the two sections are coupled in this loose relation the joints are tightened by tapered pins or wedges 21 which are driven into counterpart openings 22 between the meeting ends of the sections, said openings 22 being provided by forn'iing duplicate recesses in the end faces of the sections so that they register when the sections are properly assembled.

To prevent lateral separation of the two sections 18, 18, a plate 23 is swiveled on the one side of the lug 19 and is of a length sufficient to project over the meeting end portion of the adjoining section; and on the other side of the lug is a corresponding plate 24. These plates 23, 24, are apertured for the passage of a through-bolt 25 having a wing-nut or other suitable clamping device 26 thereon, whereby the p ates may be ti htened and loosened. at will. i

The ring sections 18, 18, are provided with gear teeth 27 on their peripheral faces, said teeth being in continuous annular series when the two sections are joined. The teeth engage pinion 28 located in a hollow extension 29 of the outer casing section 2. This pinion is mounted on a shaft 30, and collars 81 are sleeved on the shaft between the ends of the pinion and the walls of the extension 29 (see Figs. 2 and so as to provide thrust flanges for the ends of the teeth 27 of the rotatable ring.

Outward from the shaft 30 is a second shaft 32 having feather-keyed or otherwise fastened thereon a pinion 38 which engages the aforesaid pinion 28. The ends of this shaft 32 extend outward beyond the walls of the hollow extension 29 and are squared or otherwise formed for the attachment of rai'zchet-wheels 34.

llotatable 011 the hub portions of the ratchet-wheels are housings 36 having lug extensions 37 which are bored to accommo date spring-pressed pins or pawls 38 whose inner end portions are beveled so as to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheels when moved in one direction and to slide out of engagement therewith when moved in the opposite direction and the projecting outer end portions of said pins 38 are knurled or otherwise prepared for convenience in withdrawing them from engagement with the ratchet-wheels whenever the operator so desires.

The ratchet housings -36 are provided with internally screw-threaded sockets for the attachment of operating handles or levers 10. Either one or both of the operating handles may be used, but it is preferable to utilize two and work them in alternation, so as to secure a continuous operation of the rotatable ring 17. It is also preferable to provide a spring-pressed ratchet-bolt 41 having its end portion oppositely beveled and yieldably engaged with the teeth 27 of the rotatable ring 17, as shown in Fig. 2, with sufficient force to normally hold the ring and outer casing against independent rotation, but permitting them to rotate independent of each other when'one. is held and force is applied to the other.

To avoid undue friction on the rotatable ring 17 it is supported upon flanged rollers 42, four of which are indicated inthe drawings. One of these rollers is mounted-on the hinge pin 6 of the two outer casing sections, another on a shaft 43 on the section 2 at a point diametrically opposite the pinion 28, and the two others on shafts d4, 45, respectivelylocated near the meeting ends of the sections 2 and 2 of the casing. To accommodate these rollers the casing is provided with hollow circumferential extensions e6, 47, which are circular like the porti on 5, where the shafts .4:, 45, occur, and another 48, where the shaft 43 occurs, which is substantially rectangular. This last mentioned extension 4-8 is provided on opposite sides with external recesses .19, while theextension 29 of the casing section 2, in which the pinionsv 28 and 33 are mounted, is pro vided on opposite sides with similar recesses 50, the purpose of which is for the engagement of a holding chocking frame to prevent rotation of the outer casing when the device is used, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The rotatable ring 17 has on one side an inwardly disposed annular flange or web 51, on which are formed the seats or pockets for the reception of the several chucking, centering, cutting-off, and screw-threading members to be now described.

The device will be first described as equipped for use as a pipe-wrench.

On the inner face of the web 51 are a'plurality of symmetrically arranged seats 52, preferably four, as shown, for vthe mounting of the pipe-clamping or chucking blocks 53 which are best shown in detail in igs. i5, 16, 17 and 18. These blocks have arcuate or concaved pipe-engaging end portions which are serrated or toothed in oppositely disposed relation on opposite sidesof a median longitudinal line, as at 54, so as to hold the pipe from turning in either direction when engaged thereby. The seats 52 are in effect rectangular grooves, having undercut side walls, into which the blocks are slid end wise; and the bottoms of the grooves are re-grooved centrally to providebearing surfaces 56 adjoining thev side walls whic 1 may be easily machine finished as the undercutting of the latter is accomplished.

The blocks 5?) are each provided with a central screw-threaded bore 57 to receive an adjusting and clamping screw 58 (see Fig.

15). is secured a peripherally notched disk 59, as by a screw-threaded key-pin 60 which facilitates its removal should occasion require. The web 51 is slotted, as at 61, to permit the peripheral portion of the disk59 to project beyond the outer face thereof, and on the .inner side. of the circumferential portion of the ring 17 an enlargement or lug 62 isv formed to provide an abutment for the end of the screw. 7

By applying a wrench to the notched disk 59. the screws 58 may be rotated to force the blocks 53 tightly upon the pipe, and, likewise, by the reverse manipulation, the blocks may be readilywithdrawn therefrom; and

to accommodate the device to pipes of various sizes, the chucking blocks 53 may be made in sets of different lengths, as illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18.

The device will now be described as equipped for cutting off lengths of pipe.

On the outer end portion of the screw For cutting-off purposes a tool-holder 63,

such as illustrated in Figs. 19, 20 and 21, is substituted for the pipe-clamping blocks 53. This holder comprises a block which fits the seat 52 in a manner similar to the blocks 53 j and is provided with a screw-threaded central bore 64 for the reception of thescrew 58. In the outer face of the block 63 is a longitudinal groove 65 into which the cutting tool 66 is slidably fitted and laterally retained by a cover-plate 67 Cooperating with the cutting tool is an adjusting and abutment block 68 having a shoulder portion 69 overhanging the end of the tool, and a portion 70 lying against the outer face of the tool, said block and the cutting tool having alined apertures to receive a pin 71 which holds them against longitudinal separation.

The middle portion of the outer face of the block 68 is concaved the length thereof and screw-threaded to engage a screw 72 which is fitted to rotate in the smoothly finished, semi-cylindrical bottom portion of a groove 73 formed in the cover-plate,- which latter has a longitudinal enlargement 74 in the region of the groove. The screw is provided with an annular groove 7 2 which engages a lug 67 on the cover-plate, whereby it is held against longitudinal movement, but is freely rotatable. Obviously, therefore, by rotating the screw, the block 68 and the cutting tool 66 which is engaged therewith are moved longitudinally, and the screw serves to hold them in adjusted position. To resist lateral thrust of the outer end portion of the cutting tool a setscrew 75 is applied, as more clearly shown in Fig. 19, to clamp the tool against the body of the holder 63.

Mounted at intervals throughout the flange portion 4. of the outer casing 1 is a series of spring-pressed ratchet pins 76 which may be adjustedto project inward so as to engagethe ratchet-disks 59 on the screw 58, whereby said'disks are rotated theare adjusted so as not to engage the ratchet-disks 59 when the device is used as a wrench, because there is no necessity for feeding-the chucking blocks 53 after they have been once tightened on the pipe by the application of awrench to the disks 59 as hereinbe-tore set forth.-

As shown in the drawings there are four of these ratchet-pins. They are fitted slidably in bores 77 through portions of the flange i where outward extensions 78- are provided and externally screw-threaded to receive caps or nuts 7 9 having ceutralopenings 80 through which the reduced stem portions 81 of the pins are projected and screwthreaded to receive nuts 82. A coiled spring 83 is sleeved over the stem portion 81 between the head of the pin and the cap 7 9 and tending to force the pin inward, the nor mal position of the pin being governed by the adjustment of the nut 82.

In order to center the pipe in the device during the cutting-off operation it is pretterable to employ spring-pressed centering members 8 1 having anti-friction rollers 85 to bear uponthe pipe. As shown in the drawings there are four of these members. They each comprise a cylindrical body portion fitted slidably in bushings 80 which are screwed into internally screw-threaded. bores 87 in socket portions 88 provided therefor on the flange 51 of the ring 17 (see Figs. 1 and 22.). These members 8% have their outer ends convexed, as at 89, and slotted, as at 90, to receive the rollers 85 which are mount ed on shafts 91 offset from the axes of the members so that the rollers will track properly and not tend to cause a torsional movement oi the members. To further guard against such a movement of the members 84 they are slotted, as at 92, to receive the end portion oi? a screw-stud 93 which is inserted through alined apertures in the socket portion and the lnishing 80, said stud 93 serving in addition to lock the bushing in place.

Threaded into the socket portion 88 opposite to the bushing 86 is a recessed nut or adjusting member 94 having a central opening through which the reduced stem portion 95 of the centering member 84 is projected and screw-threaded to receive a nut 96. About this stem portion 95 and interposed between the body portion of the member 84 and the head of the adjusting member 94 is a spring 97. By adjusting the member 9 1 in adjustments the flangeol is provided with openings 98 to make clearance for a wrench.

The: device Wlll now be described as equipped for the screw-threading operation.

On the inner face ofthe flange 51 of the ring l'Tare rectangular, slotted sockets 99 to receive the threading dies 100 which are best shown in Figs. 24 and 26'. As shown these dies are substantially rectangular blocks having formed-cutters for the threads at both 3 ends. They have oppositely disposed slots 101 in their opposite sides, saidslots being located at different distances, respectively, from the ends of the die, and inclinedand slightly curved for a purpose to be presently set forth.

The dies are mounted slidably [in the slotted sockets 99 and there laterally retained by cap-plates 102 and-103 located at opposite ends of the sockets. The inneredge portions of these plates are curved on radii from the center of the ring 17 and undercut to provide retaining shoulders for an areaate adjusting plate 104 having counterpart shoulders at its edges. The adjusting plate is slotted concentrically with respect to the axis of the ring 17, as at104, and inserted through said slot into a screw-threaded ap erture 100 in the flange 51 is a clamping screw 105, Epreterably a thumb-screw, as shown.

On the inner face of the adjusting plate 101 is an inclined, curved or cam-like rib 106 which is arranged and adapted to work through the slots 101 of the threading dies and thereby eiiect an endwise adjustment of the dies when the plate 104: is shifted concentrically ofthe ring 17. Preferably, the walls of the slots 101 are oppositely curved to afford apexed bearings on opposite sides 01 the rib 106 so that the adjustment of the plate 10 1 and threading die may be readily accomplished without binding and yet at ford a solid support for the die.

Preferably, four dies are employed and they are respectively segmental portions of a continuous annular thread cutter. That is, the thread-cutting portions are arranged so that those of the one die follow those of the other dies to cut a continuous thread on the pipe; and by forming cutters at both ends of the die and providing the slots 101 at different distances from the ends, the die may be reversed in the holder and adjusted to suit pipes of different sizes.

In order to relieve the dies from pulling strain during the cutting operation a feeding attachment is provided, -as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. This attachment comprises a sleeve 107 which is coupled to the rotatable ring 17, concentrically thereof, and has a screw-threaded engagement'with another sleeve 108 which is clamped tight on the pipe.

The sleeve 107 is provided at one end with radial ears 109, preferably four, which are apertured, as at 110, to receive bolts 111 (see Fig. 7) by which they are fastened to the ring 17, which latter is provided with a series of apertures 112 for the purpose (see Fi e. 1 and 2).

both of the sleeves 107, 108, comprise two separable half-sections. The sleeve 107 has cooperating apertured ears 113 on one side, near its opposite ends, to receive a pin 114, whereby the two sections are hinged together, and at its opposite side the meeting edge portions of the sections are provided with abutting bifurcated lugs 115, 116. The lugs 115 are perforated to receive a hingepin 117 for an eye-bolt 118 having a nut 119 thereon for engagement with the companion lugs 116. Two sections of the sleeve 108 have cooperating apertured ears 120 on one side, near its opposite ends, to receive a hinge-pin 121, and the meeting edge portions at the opposite side are provided with abutting bifurcated lugs 122, 123, said lugs 122 being perforated to receive the hingepin 124 for an eye-bolt 125, and said lugs 123 being recessed, as at 126, to receive the end portions of a cross-bar 127 which is apertured centrally to fit loosely on the eyebolt 125 and is clamped against the lugs 123 by a nut 128.

The middle portion 129 of the sleeve 108 is made large enough to clear the projecting hinge ears 113 and fastening lu s 115, 116 at the inner end of the sleeve 10%. Its inner end portion 130 is contracted and internally screw-threaded to fit the counterpart screw-threaded circumferential portion 131 of the sleeve 107, which threads, of course, correspond tothe threads to be cut on the pipe by the dies 100.

The outer end portion 1320f the sleeve 108 is also contracted, and, preferably, the interior diameter thereof is the same as the interior diameter of the sleeve 107. This portion 132 of the sleeve 108 is provided with a series of screw-threaded apertures, preferably four, which are diametrically disposed, and mounted therein are set-screws 133 which are tightened against the pipe so as to lock the sleeve thereto. In this manner, the pipe and sleeve 108 are held against rotation by the application of suitable tongs or other holding device to either the pipe or the sleeve; and, as the ring 17 and the sleeve 107 which is fastened thereto are rotated, the screw-threaded portion of the sleeve 107 turns in the screw-threaded portion of the sleeve 108 and pulls the threading dies 100 onto the ipe, so that said dies are relieved of all puling strain and have only to effect the cutting of the threads on the pipe. In some cases, however, it may not be necessary to use the feeding device.

The sleeves 107, 108, are made to accommodate a pipe of a certain maximum diameter; and to take care of smaller pipes filler rings 134 (see Figs. 8, 9 and 10) which are made in different sizes, one to fit the sleeves, and the others to fit the one within the other, are employed. These rings are preferably made in two sections which are hinged together and provided with apertures 135 through which may be loosely projected the set-screws 133 on the. sleeve 108 and similar set-screws (not shown) for which the sleeve 107 is provided with screwthreaded apertures 136, it being understood, of course, that the screws on the sleeve 107 do not clamp the pipe, but only serve to retain thering or rings 134 in place so as to center the pipe with respect to the dies.

F or holdin the iae a amst endwlse h u I c movement when cuttlng off sectlons or pipe,

' as hereinbefore described, it is preferable to one side, as at 138, and fastened at their op posite sides, as at 139, in a manner similar to the sleeve 108. They are provided with setscrews 140 similar to'those, 133, on the sleeve 108 for clamping the pipe; and to take care of pipes of smaller diameters rings like 7 those, 134, above described for the sleeves clear the pipe and also the feeding sleeves 107, 108, hereinbefore described, whenthe frame is engaged with the outer casing 1. The manner in which the frame is applied is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein the frame is shown in longitudinal section and the outer casing 1 as located between the side members 141 with the cross-members 143,144, respectively seated in the recesses'49 and 50 on opposite sides, respectively, of the extensions 48 and'29 of said outer casing. When the parts are thus engaged, and the free end of the frame is allowed to rest against the wall of a trench, or upon the ground or any other solid support, the outer casing 1 is held against rotation in the reverse direction to that in which the ring 17 is rotated in the operation of the device. The engagement of the cross-members of the frame with the outer casing is also such that it permits movement of the latter endwise with respect to the pipe when the device is usedas a wrench and for screw-threading; and the distance between the side members 141 is determined by the amount of travel which will ordinarily be required of the casing 1 in the general use of the device, as above noted.

Obviously the device admits of considerable modification without departing from the spirit of the, invention as defined by the appended claims, and it is, therefore, not limited to the construction and arrangement shown.

hat is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, an annular outer casing, a ringrotatably mounted therein and carrying devices for engaging and operating upon a pipe or the like, actuating means on said outer casing, a power transmission gear between said actuating means and said rotatable ring, and a holding device for said outer casing, said holding device and said outer casing being relatively arranged and adapted for detachable and slidable, contactual engagement whereby the latter is held from rotation, but is capable of endwise movement on the former.

2. Ina device of the character described, an annularouter casing, aring rotatably mounted therein and carrying devices for engaging and operating upon a pipe or the like, actuating means on said outer casing, a power transmission gear between said actuating means and said rotatable ring, and a holding device for preventing rotation of said outer casing, said holding device and said outer casing being relatively arranged and adapted for detachable and slidable, contactual engagement.

In a device of the character described, an annular outer casing, a ring rotatably mounted therein and carrying devices for engaging and operating upon a pipe or the like, actuating means on said outer casing, a power transmission gear between said actuating means and said rotatablering, and a holding frame for said outer casing, said holding frame comprising two elongated side members connected cross-members and between which the outer casing is placed, said outer casing having opposed circumferential extensions arranged and adapted'for detachable and slidable, contactual engagement, respectively, with two cross-members of said frame, one end of said frame extending a considerable distance from the axis of the outer casing, whereby, when said end portion of the frame abuts a solid support, the casing isheld from rotation, but is capable of endwise movement on said cross-members.

4. 'In a device of the character described,

an outer supporting frame, a power-actuated-ring mounted rotatablyi therein, a ra dially disposed screw swiveled in said ring and exending toward the axis thereof, a toothed actuating collar on said screw, a withdrawable ratchet-pin disposed transversely of said outer supporting frame and apable of projection to engage said toothed actuating collar, and guides on said ring for the mounting and operation of pipe-engaging members interchangeably on said screw, whereby to be-adjustedby the manual ma- 'nipulation of said toothed collar and said collar may beintermittently rotatedv by-the engagement therewith of said ratchet-pin or not, at will.

5. In a device of the character described, an annular outer casing comprising two separable hal't-sections and means forfidetachabl securin said sectionsto. ether airin O r 7 D rotatably mounted in said outer casing and arrying devicesfor engaging and operating upon a pipe or the like, said. ring comprising two separable half-sections, themeeting end portions of which are respectively provided with undercut lugs and counterpartrecesses for :interlocking engagement, means for vtightening saidsections injoined relation,

means for securing said sections against lateral. separation, actuating means on said outer. casing, and a, power-transmission gear between said actuating meansand said rosections being respectively provided with undercut lugs and counterpart recesses for il'lterloclring engagement, a space being provided between the meetinglends of the sections and theends of the lugs and bottoms of the recesses, whereby said sectionsmay befirst assembled in loose relation, andithe meeting ends of said sections being provided with registering tapered recesses, tightening wedges insertible in .said tapered recesses, means for securing the sections against lateral separation, a driving pinion on said outer casingin engagement with the gear teeth of said rotatablering, .andlever mechanism for actuating. said driving pinion.

7 In a device of the character described, a rotatable ring, radially disposed pipeclamping members slidably mounted thereon, the inner end portions of saidlmembers being arranged and adaptedto engagethe pipe with biting effect, said members having screw-threaded longitudinal bores, adjusting screws having a swivel connection with said ring and working in said screw-threaded bores of the pipe-clamping members, and means 011 said screws for the application of a wrench whereby they may be rotated to effect the adjustment and clamping action of said members.

8. In a device of the character described, a rotatable ring comprising a circumferential flange portion and an integral, inwardly disposed, side flange portion, said side flange having substantially rectangular seat portions on its inner face, the opposite side walls of the same being undercut, pipeclamping blocks fitted slidably in said seat portions, said blocks being capable of adjustment in said seat portions radially with respect to the axis of the ring, and having screw-threaded longitudinal bores from their outer ends, adjusting screws having a swivel connection with said ring and working in said screw-threaded bores of the pipeclamping blocks, and end bearing abutments for said screws, said abutments comprising integral enlargements of the circumferential and side flanges of said ring.

9. In a device of the character described, a power-actuated rotatable ring having longitudinally adjustable, radially disposed pipe-clamping members thereon, said members having their inner pipe-engaging end portions ooncaved and provided with oppositely *iormed serrations on opposite sides of a median line, one wall of each serration being substantially parallel with the longimy hand.

JOHN HELM. 

